centerbu* SqUiRe KeLaDrY; mOtHeR? */u/b/center

iuDisclaimer:/u Same deal here. I own nothing. I have nothing to do with the characters or the place. Those belong to Tamora Pierce. I do on the other hand have some to do with the plot, if you can call it that...Plot hmm...what a novel idea...jk umm oh yeah same deal as before (in Taming the Lioness) this disclaimer is valid (I hope) for the rest of the story./i

bCHAPTER SEVENTEENb

iuSo...you like ``Stuff ``?/i/u

Kel stood expectantly before the thick wooden door that lead to Sargent Domitan's rooms. She was packed and ready to go; the proof was undeniable, and at her feet. On the sturdy stone floor beside Kel were two rather small, but full saddle bags. Kel always liked to pack as lightly as possible; that made it easier to leave. Kel had already been waiting with anxious patience for a couple of minutes. Minutes that seemed to be endlessly long and uncomfortable. She raised her hand and made a firm fist, as if preparing to knock. Then as abruptly as the fist was made, she changed her mind. Kel dropped her hand submissively and loosened her fingers. She decided that no harm would come from waiting awhile longer. Suddenly, thoughts enveloping her, Kel laughed inwardly. *It must run in the family.* Kel thought firmly. *Queenscove always took his sweet time packing and getting ready for dinner. Kel was certain though that Neal would be soon broken of that habit, being the Lioness' squire. Neal always primped more than herself, which wasn't hard, but still...* Kel thought and then put it another way. *Neal primps more than most girls.* Kel sighed. *It was an annoying yet endearing quality.* Her thoughts no longer consuming her; Kel was getting impatient. She hated upsetting Lord Raoul more that her already was so they needed to at least make an attempt of getting on the road.

Kel brought her hand back fist ready. She prepared to knock the splinters out of that door if necessary to get Dom's attention. But because of her silent laughter and amusing thoughts, Kel hadn't heard the rummaging in the room cease. Bags in one hand, Dom opened the door with the other, having no idea of what was to come. The exact moment Dom stepped one foot out of the door, Kel brought her fist forcefully forward.

"Gods! Mother Goddess!" Kel breathed. "Curse and punish me!" Kel gasped, smacking her hands over her mouth. "I am so sorry..." She exhaled shakily. Kel was tall for her age. Kel was tall for a girl. And while Dom was still taller, the difference wasn't great. Kel's tightly formed right fist collided soundly with the bottom left side with the left side of Dom's jaw.

The two of them were quite a sight. Kel, her hands clasped securely over her open mouth in shock and remorse over what she had `accidently` done. Dom, his left palm resting lightly over his wound. Occasionally he met Kel's eyes not sure if he knew what was going on around him; he seemed a little disconnected. They stood facing each other for a moment. Kel's eyes began to sting fiercely. "I'm so sorry!" She murmured. "Please forgive me." Dom's piercing navy eyes studied her face intently for a moment. "I didn't mean- "

Dom cut her off. "It's okay." He reassured rubbing his jaw lightly. Slowly he opened and closed his mouth trying to loosen his tight jaw muscles. Small wrinkles gathered in the corners of Dom's intense eyes as Kel stood before him, her whole body rigid with the anticipation of what his next move would be. An unmistakable and hearty laugh rose from deep inside of Dom's chest and escaped his lips. Clear amusement resounded and echoed down the empty corridor. Plain and simple, Dom had an infectious laugh, in a few moments Kel shouldn't help but join in. Together they both shared a good healing 'belly laugh'.

Slowly the chuckles on both sides eventually abated. "Wow!" Dom laughed. "You sure pack a strong punch, for a short little thing." Dom said patting her on the head.

"I'm not short." Kel protested. Then she saw a subdued smile tickle the corners of Dom's lips; a little sheepishly she realized it was a joke. "You..." She started then didn't quite know how to finish.

"Me." Dom confirmed with a nod. "Yeah," he pushed. "It's a good thing you're not any taller that you are or I'd have ended up with a pretty nice shiner that would've been hard to explain.

"Oh," Kel sighed. "A shiner would do you some good. It would teach you a lesson and give you something to show off to the girls that undoubtedly flock around you."

"Sure..." Dom scoffed. "Girls. Uhuh." And he added as an after thought. "As if anyone could teach me a lesson."

Kel posed no disagreement to that particular comment.

Dom paused slightly to gain control over his facial expressions. "Geez, Kel, why'd you have to go and hit me anyway? What I do?" He asked rubbing his still somewhat sore jaw.

"I told you... I didn't mean to..." Kel defended. Then it dawned on her. Dom was teasing her i*again*./i "Er- " Kel growled at him. "I never knew you were such a idonkey!"/i

Dom studied her intently. Kel stood subconsciously before him for a few seconds before the Sargent replied. "Somehow," he started. "I don't believe that's all you wanted to say. I think you were just trying to be polite." He finished.

"I wasn't trying to be polite." Kel justified. "I just have isome/i self control."

Dom gave a doubtful laugh, but didn't say any more on the topic. "Somehow," he pushed. "I get the feeling that you were implying other things..." He let it trail at that.

"Why no! I wasn't. But, if you want me to be more specific, I will. If you must know I was implying, yes implying I admit it, to the nether region of that particular animal." Kel said with a playful grin.

Dom clutched the his shirt over his heart tightly in an unforgiving fist and twisted the material; his face contorted in false pain, and he winced. "That," he gasped. "That really- really"he emphasized, "hurt Kel."

"I'll show you hurt." Kel threatened as she lightly and playfully punched him on the arm.

"Oh!" Dom played along as he grabbed his arm where she had hit him a moment ago. He was feigning pain once again. "Is this pick on Domitan Day? Did someone forget to tell me? 'Cause a warning would have been really nice." Dom stated sadly.

"No." Kel laughed. It isn't."

Dom sighed with relief. "Good."

Kel pressed on. "But it can be." She waited for his reply.

Dom pouted. "Fine, be that way."

"Oh, I will." She assured. "Let's go. Before we get into more trouble than we already are." Kel demanded.

"We're in trouble?" Dom asked. "I didn't know that. How come nobody told me? No one tells me anything." He complained childishly.

"Enough." Kel said wearyingly. "I don't want any more wining."

"But Kel- " Dom started.

"Eh- " Kel cut him off. Then she got back to the first topic of discussion. Wether or not they were in trouble. "Oh how soon we forget. It was only this morning. And I don't know about you, but I don't enjoy being on Lord Raoul's bad side. Especially," she added thinking more carefully about her situation. "When he's my knight master."

"You don't think Raoul was mad do you?" Dom asked seriously. He was by considerably concerned about Kel. He on the other hand hadn't given Raoul's word this morning a second thought.

"Well he certainly wasn't pleased with us." She replied logically. "Besides," Kel defended she didn't know why but she felt foolish for being concerned when Dom obviously wasn't. "He knows too much about me to make me want to upset him too much...more than I already have." She concluded weakly.

Dom laughed. "What does he know that I don't?" Dom demanded, a soft, sweet smile upon his lips.

"Plenty." Kel secured, but she didn't offer to volunteer any more information that was necessary. "Let's get going, we've wasted enough time all ready." She picked up the bags at her feet and stalked purposely down the hall. Not once did she turn to see if Dom was coming. She stepped out of Mindelan, her home, and started toward the stables. She had become, once again, The Yamani Lump. She cleared her head of all thoughts and focused on the simple things. *Left foot down. Right foot out. Now down. Left foot...keep looking ahead.* She entered the stables and made her way to Peachblossom's secluded stall. Then she couldn't help it, the curiosity got the better of her. She turned and looked around for Dom. He had followed Kel perilously closed and matched each of her steps. Dom was now standing dangerously close. Too close for comfort. Kel blushed involuntarily and turned her head, so she wouldn't have to look Dom directly in the eyes.

Dom chuckled. "This is going to be fun." He stated with confidence.

Kel tried to suppress the rising color in her cheeks. *Yamani clam.* Hse reminded herself firmly. *A calm cool lake, a clear cloudless blue sky i'like Dom's eyes'/i* her subconscious butted in. *Rock! Cool, calm, reassuring, strong solid, firm i'like Dom's muscularly chiseled chest'/i her brain interjected unwantedly getting more detailed.*

"I haven't seen his chest!" Kel argued. Which was true. But unfortunately she had said that last bit aloud.

"Who's chest?" Dom asked merely curious not concerned.

Kel stepped away lengthening the small distance between than. Kel had no explanation, so she changed the subject. "What's going to be fun?" She asked innocently. Kel grabbed Peach- blossom's saddled and quickly busied herself.

"The journey, getting to know you...stuff he finished feebly. He began saddling his own mount. i(a/n: stallion, mare, gelding? any idea? I don't information would be greatly appreciated since I'm too lazy to check and see if it says anywhere it might not, so don't get upset if my facts are wrong here)/i

Kel laughed nervously. *Stuff? iStuff?/i What in the- what does that mean? Calm down Kel be the lake 'no remember what happened last time you did that?' Play it cool.* "So...you like 'stuff'?" She asked with a suave reassurance that was entirely false.

"Yeah." He scoffed. "It's my favorite. How about you?"

Kel's fingers fumbled miserably as she tried and was failing so far, to tighten that saddle around her gelding's middle. "Sure. I mean I guess. Why not? Yeah- umm..." She faltered. "What kind of stuff?" She asked her voice shaking.

Dom shrugged. "I don't know. We'll have to see wont we?" Well wasn't her Mr. Cocky? Dom didn't seem to be nearly as uncomfortable with the conversation as Kel was. Dom finished saddling his mild tempered mare, and looked at Kel. "Do you need any help?" Dom offered seeing Kel's shaking fingers.

"No. I'm fine." Kel recovered and efficiently finished preparing Peachblossom for the road and for their 'journey'.

Both Kel and Dom mounted up and departed from the stable. They rode out. Kel took one last look at her home, grateful she had said all her goodbye's before going down to see if Dom was ready. She knew this was a great idea, because Kel didn't think she could stand watching the ones she loved and had gotten to spend a short time with, waving from outside the house with somber expression. She couldn't handle her mother, father, brother's and their wives, nieces and nephews in front of her home watching her depart and disappear into the horizon that would have been too much to bear. She knew that she told herself as she brushed a single tear away. With a touch of sadness, Kel sighed heavily and followed Dom out of Mindelan and they headed North toward Scanra.

iuA/N:/u Can't breath...long chapter...whoa... I might live. Might. Whoo. I don't know when I'll get to write, type, post again. I get to see my nieces Thursday. Then I have to work again Friday and Saturday so...I'll try honest I will. You're lucky you got this... I have been so PMS-y this week. It was bad even I couldn't stand being around me...most of my pay check(which I haven't gotten yet) is already spent great huh? I'm addicted to...yeah shopping. I'm so excited about seeing my nieces. My sister will be here later this month. But now I'm boring you let me know what you think of my Kel/Dom fic. I don't know that's how it's planned, but it just might go...Kel/Neal? No. Kel/Cleon... humm. Cleon/Neal??? NO just kidding, but...that would be amusing...



The Demented (I know it's true b-cuz I've been told multiple times) Lady Daffodil of Queenscove

P.S. My e-mail is wacky...I can receive things perfectly, but it wont let me send. A couple of people have e-mailed me and I bREALLY/ want to write back, I'm just not able. Don't think I'm a snob 'cuz I'm not really. I'll get back to you as soon as I can figure out what's going on... okay. You're awesome... 3 I do have another e-mail that I haven't tried if any one wants to write me... here it is:/i

hopeless_romantic88@yahoo.com">b hopeless_romantic88@yahoo.com/b Same goes for anyone wanting to contact me about my other fic iTaming the Lioness/i umm yes... I was just looking at this and I created a hyperlink how'd Ido that? Hmm...anyway if you use it you'll have to remove the little brackets with the b's in...cuz I don't know how, I don't know what I did in the first place...